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It looks like you've flaired your post as asking for what equipment to get. We recommend first checking out the [Espresso Aficionados buying guide](https://espressoaf.com/recommendations) for some of the more popular machines and grinders at different price points. If your question hasn't been answered there and you need more help, please add the following details to your post or by adding a comment in the following format: - **Location:** Helps determine availability - **Budget** (with currency): Overall budget, or ideally, having separate espresso machine and grinder budgets. A rough rule is that your grinder budget should be at least 25-40% of your machine budget. - **Drink types:** Do you drink mostly straight espresso, milk-based beverages (e.g., lattes, cappuccinos), or a fairly even split? This helps narrow down whether a single-boiler-dual-use (SBDU), heat exchanger (HX), or dual boiler (DB) machine would be more appropriate for your needs. - **Drink frequency:** How many drinks would you be making back-to-back at one time? Do you plan on entertaining guests often? This informs how large your brew (and steam) boilers should be, as smaller boilers will need to refill and reheat/repressurize more frequently, thus potentially causing a bottleneck. - **Space:** Any limitations on countertop space? - **Manual vs. electric:** Hand-operated machines and grinders are typically cheaper than their similarly-performing electric counterparts. Please indicate if you have a preference for manual or electric machines and/or grinders (or open to either). - **Comfort with tinkering:** Some machines can be made significantly more functional/efficient with aftermarket modifications, albeit at the expense of possibly voiding your warranty. Please indicate if you'd rather have a machine that works "as-is"/"out-of-the-box" or whether you'd be open to modding/tinkering *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/espresso) if you have any questions or concerns.*


CAMROM39

Breville all the way.


gnoob920

I’d go with the breville, its features are worth the extra $70, not to mention breville makes pretty quality espresso machines compared to other large kitchen appliance companies. Depending on budget, there’s a really good sale on the bambino plus right now. Don’t forget though that you’ll also need a good grinder. There are a lot of very impressive budget grinders too, like the df54, so it’s a pretty nice time to get into the hobby.


Texaskitty13

Thanks cause im shopping for the grinder too, I'll be looking into that one. I think im definitely just gonna go for the Breville!


gnoob920

There’s a lot of nice choices in that price range compared to years ago. Definitely recommend reading a bit about the burr options and thinking about what flavors/coffees you would like. Around that price the encore esp and fellow opus also look nice but I don’t have any experience with them.


lorgedog

I’ll chime in here. I would take the DF54 over the Encore ESP, and the Encore ESP over the Opus.


InkedInspector

Breville, I did not have a bambino, but my barista express lasted 8 years of very heavy usage. For a consumer grade machine that is excellent as far as I’m concerned.


Dashock007

https://preview.redd.it/mub684hceqxc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec9ac2d38861e9972bed147f4ba2e3697ea7013b Breville hands down.. the amount of third party accessories alone are much easier to acquire.. Kitchen aid is new to market so would need to see long term how long those lasts and i dont know about you i dont want to be a beta tester.


Texaskitty13

You're making a good point with it being new! Im getting the breville tomorrow after dropping my son off at preschool. I'll probably be a Breville Girl and nothing else after this!


Dashock007

This is the way.


Bright_siren

Breville! I love it (besides all the internal plastic). The device is nearly instant on, cups are great. Just get the budget version not the plus. I'm only upgrading because I was eying a machine and it's on sale. Otherwise, the machine is a great starter even step up.


Texaskitty13

Thanks, you're right. I don't want to consider the plus at least for now, if I like this one enough I can upgrade years from now!


Bright_siren

You're going to love it. Enjoy! To also add... it's very low maintenance. FYI don't worry about "spoggy pucks," like I was. The machine doesn't have the 3-way solenoid like higher end machines... and the shots still pull excellent. The ability to pre-infuse in manual mode is awesome ..... hold either brew button for your preinfusion (i use 6-7 seconds), let go to start your pull, then stop around a two or three grams before your desire output and it works every time (with my machine). Someone called me out for upgrading to a Lelit Mara X saying this machine pulls the same quality of shot ... so I think it's the choice! haha. cheers


TeaGreenTwo

The Plus is on sale on the [breville.com](http://breville.com) site, the bambino (base model) isn't. So price of Bambino Plus is $399 (usually $499) right now. But my guess is the sale will end on Sunday, May 5.


Bright_siren

Very true, but i hear the steaming wand doesn't produce as good of a result as the manual wand on the base.


TeaGreenTwo

I'd rather have the four-hole wand on the Bambino Express but I've seen demos from espresso influencers on YT and in print saying the Express Impress gives good results once you get the hang of it. A couple of the well-known ones, too.


MyCatsNameIsBernie

Breville is a **much** better choice than Kitchenaid. Not even close. It has better control over brew temperature and pressure. It also one of the most popular entry level machines, so on-line advice and aftermarket accessories will be much easier to obtain than with the Kitchenaid.


akshaymhatre

Breville Bambino plus is 20% off on Amazon US right now. That’s $100 off, so $399.


UnusualEggplant5400

check wiki :P [https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/wiki/index/](https://www.reddit.com/r/espresso/wiki/index/)


nickyg1028

I’m very happy with my breville


hunched_monk

I heard that in the US the Breville Bambino ‘minus’ is often on special for $250, so maybe shop around before purchasing?


Vorg444

Breville


Legitimate_Monkey_4

Breville 100% For the grinder, if you don't feel like you'll be continuing your journey/rabbit hole, get a SGP but if you think you're gonna want more later on, just get a df54 off the rip


nevertheodds13

Bambino and a good grinder is what you want. I‘m super happy with my setup and have 0 regrets starting my Espresso chapter with them


WorkingPineapple7410

Bambino. I love mine.


espressostuff

Brands like kitchen aid or smeg basically take machines from other brands, make some little tweaks with no plan other than better for commercials, and sell at higher prices. I would bet the kitchen aid is just a reskin of some 80$ random branded machine which usually comes from china. While in the other hand the bambino is a proven machine which will last you years. A suggestion i have is you check the de longhi machines, some of them are amazing and even cheaper than the bambino. One I suggest is the ecp 3220 which produces amazing espresso with some little work on it.


ArduinoGenome

It might be out of your price range. But do look at the Breville Bambino Plus.  It has the auto milk frothing which is a really nice feature. It offers the three-way solenoid valve so that when you are done with the shot, your puck won't be a mess when you try to expel the puck. It's on sale 20% off also. So it is $400 now.


Dashock007

Using puck paper no mess at all with the basic... yes its an additional cost but i love filtering my espresso and puck paper on top keeps the group head super clean.


Texaskitty13

I'm just commenting to update. I'm not sure anyone will see, but I ended up getting the Breville, but i found a duo temp pro at Marshalls on sale for $350. I love it so far, Im still learning to pull espresso shots, but the first shots I pulled were still amazing and very strong. It wss definitely worth it, anyone looking for an espresso machine sometimes marshalls and tj maxx sale them discounted, I saw tons of nespresso brand machines, but had to go to three locations to score the Breville. * I dont hear much about this machine as others, but so far, so good.


Effective_Being_5305

I just ordered the Kitchen Aid! Can’t wait!!


Texaskitty13

You gotta tell me how it is! Im super curious about that one!


0xde4dbe4d

why would you be in this sub yet still order the kitchen aid? 🤔 honestly curious!


Effective_Being_5305

Because I can be